Tragic Death of Young Basketball Player Exposes Poor Sports Infrastructure
A promising national-level basketball player's life was cut short when a rusted pole collapsed on him during practice, exposing what Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called "a failed system" in Indian sports infrastructure. Hardik Rathi, who had been selected for the school junior national championship scheduled to begin just five days later, was practicing alone in Lakhanmajra village when the tragic incident occurred.
Political Leaders Visit Grieving Family
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Haryana Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam made separate visits to Hardik's family on Thursday. Mann, accompanied by AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhandha and state unit chief Dr Sushil Gupta, assured the family that their voice would be raised across the country. "This is not just a mishap, it is the result of the sports department and the government failing in their basic duty," Mann stated emphatically.
Haryana Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam, who visited earlier in the day, called the incident "deeply unfortunate" and urged against politicizing the tragedy. He confirmed that officials found prima facie responsible had been suspended and a detailed inquiry had been ordered.
Pattern of Neglect and Failed Promises
The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of neglect. According to local players, two basketball courts were built in the five-acre complex in 2009, with poles last replaced in 2016 using players' own contributions. Since then, no maintenance had been conducted despite repeated complaints.
Coach Khadak Singh didn't mince words, terming the incident "collective murder" and squarely blaming the negligence of the panchayati raj department. Sandeep, the sarpanch representative, revealed that players had even met the chief minister earlier about the stadium's poor condition but received only assurances, not action.
Mann pointed out that Hardik's death wasn't an isolated incident, recalling that a teenage basketball player died in a similar pole collapse in Bahadurgarh just days earlier. "When the same kind of tragedy repeats, it exposes the collapse of systems and the miserable condition of playgrounds," he added.
Demands for Accountability and Systemic Reform
The Punjab CM demanded a high-level probe into Hardik's death, strict action against responsible officials, adequate financial support for the family, and an immediate safety audit of all stadiums in the state. He raised crucial questions about the condition of sports infrastructure, highlighting how such incidents occur when stadium repairs are ignored, old equipment isn't replaced, and no safety audits are conducted.
In a poignant comparison, Mann questioned India's readiness to host international events like the 2030 Commonwealth Games when basic sports infrastructure remains dangerously inadequate. "The Union government must introspect whether the country is truly ready to host world-level competitions," he challenged.
Meanwhile, Gautam emphasized that providing and maintaining a safe environment is the government's fundamental duty, announcing that misuse or non-use of MPLAD funds with the panchayat department would also be investigated.
